Trying to close high-ticket retainers on the first call usually backfires. Prospects want proof before they commit. That’s why we lead with simple, low-cost front-end offers—review campaigns, GBP fixes, or an answering service. These get fast wins, lower the risk for the client, and open the door to bigger contracts once trust is built. In this post we break down exactly how we pitch, what we deliver, and why reviews often seal the deal first.
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Why low-cost front-end offers work
When we first started selling full-service SEO retainers only, our starting price was $850 a month. That closed some deals, but we were missing many more. Prospects often said they had been burned before or were not ready to spend that much.
By creating three simple front-end services, we made it easy for prospects to try us out without a big risk. These small wins lead to trust, proof, and more sales over time. The sales process becomes less about pushing a big contract and more about solving one problem fast.
Our three front-end services (quick overview)
- Review generation service — Flood their Google Business Profile (GBP) with positive reviews fast, then keep a steady drip.
- Local Lead Generation sites (LLG sites) / GBP optimization — Fix and optimize their listing and local site presence.
- Answering service — A low-cost call handling and message-taking service to capture and manage leads.
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Pitching front-end services: Best practices
When we get on a call, we follow a simple structure. First, we review the listing and make edits live on the call. That gets the client involved and shows we know what we’re doing. Then we discuss the problems we found and ask probing questions.
We introduce the three services at a high level. If the client shows interest, we give more detail. If they seem resistant, we prioritize one service that will deliver fast wins.
How we decide which to lead with
We look at two things before we suggest the review campaign first:
- Does the client have a usable Google Business Profile that is published and verified?
- Do they have a customer list we can use to ask for reviews?
If both are yes, we usually lead with the review service. Why? Because a focused review campaign can produce quick, visible results: more reviews, higher star ratings, and often better map rankings. That gives proof that our work moves the needle.
What a review campaign looks like
We run review campaigns in two phases:
- Initial blast — We take a portion of the customer's list and run a 10 to 14 day push to get a flood of new reviews.
- Drip follow-up — The rest of the list goes on a slow drip, two requests per day Monday through Friday, to keep new reviews coming.
This combo prevents a one-time spike that fades. The initial burst gets strong results fast. The drip keeps momentum so the gains last.
Example results
We have tracked campaigns with very strong engagement. One campaign showed an 83% open rate on outreach and a 5% reply rate from cold emails. In another review campaign, a tree service had 12 reviews and, after the initial push, jumped to 23 reviews in a few days. That kind of change is easy for the business owner to notice and celebrate.
How we present the review service without overpromising
We promise only that we will increase the review count and help get higher-rated reviews if they deliver good service. We do not promise that reviews will always fix GBP rankings. Instead, we explain that many times the review boost does show up as better map rankings, and we report those wins after they happen.
In short, we underpromise and overdeliver. We make clear what we will do, then we show the performance lifts when they appear. That builds trust and avoids broken promises.
Using the local search grid report on calls
Before the call, we generate a local search grid report. This gives us the top local competitors, their review counts, and star ratings. On the call we reference real competitor names. That makes the problem real for the client and helps them see the gap between them and the top players.
We say things like, “Do you see how Tommy’s Tree Service is getting most of the calls? They have X reviews and Y stars. That’s why we recommend doing this review push.” Naming competitors and showing the data gets clients to talk about the pain and how it affects their business.
When the answering service is the right lead
Sometimes the conversation reveals the client already gets enough leads, but they need better lead handling. In those cases we pitch the answering service. It is low-cost and removes friction for the client:
- $199 per month for 500 minutes.
- 25 cents per minute for overage.
- Answers inbound calls, takes job details, and sends them to the client.
- Also works as a message-taking app for short notes like installation codes or scheduling updates.
This is an easy sell for contractors who are losing jobs to missed calls or messy messages.
Lead processing and the CRM flow
We use a simple SOP for lead processing. Our virtual assistants research the business online, fill in contact records in HighLevel, and mark which services the business might need. That way when we join the call, we already know the likely fit and can jump into the sales conversation quickly.
After the call, we tag the contact based on the services discussed. They then go into the right nurture sequence automatically. This keeps the follow-up steady and hands-free.
Nurture moves that win sales
If the prospect doesn’t buy on the call, we still stay helpful. We create small, free pieces of value that show our work. One example is a “review commercial.” We take a new five-star review, turn it into a short video, and send it to the prospect saying, “This is free—put it on your website or social.”
That gesture does two things: it shows capability and keeps the relationship warm. If they still don’t buy, they remain in a drip sequence. Over time, many do come back and purchase once trust has grown.
Managing unreasonable prospects
Some prospects are just hard to please. If our pipeline is full, we have no reason to chase someone who is rude or unreasonable. It’s OK to end the call and move on. When we have a steady stream of prospects, we don’t need to beg for each sale.
Here are simple rules we follow:
- Offer help during the call. If the prospect refuses help and is hostile, end the call politely.
- Keep a full pipeline. That gives us leverage and confidence.
- Nurture contacts that respond well. Focus energy where it pays off.
Why this method raises close rates
When we offer a low-cost, low-risk service first, conversion improves. Prospects can see results fast with the review service or answering service. Those early wins make it easier to sell higher-priced retainers later.
It also reduces friction. Instead of asking for a big monthly commitment, we say, “Try this small project. If it helps, we can talk about more work.” People prefer to try before they buy. This method respects that preference.
Simple sales script outline we use
- Open with a listing review. Make one or two live edits on the call.
- Show the local search grid report and name competitors.
- Ask questions: “How do you think this is affecting your calls?”
- Recommend services at a high level. If they seem open, go deeper. If not, prioritize the review service (if GBP and a customer list exist).
- Offer a small free win after the call if they don’t buy (e.g., review commercial).
- Tag and add them to a nurture sequence relevant to the discussed service.
Conclusion
Low-cost front-end offers help us close faster because they reduce risk for the prospect and prove our value quickly. Review campaigns often lead this charge because they can deliver fast, visible results and help improve reputation and search presence. When we combine smart pre-call research, a clear pitch, honest promises, and steady nurture, we turn more calls into customers and more customers into long-term clients.
FAQ
Should we pitch all three services on every call?
No. We introduce all three at a high level. If the prospect shows interest, we give more detail. If they resist, we lead with the one that will produce the fastest, clearest win—usually reviews if a GBP and a customer list exist.
What if the Google Business Profile is not ready?
If the GBP is not published or verified, we fix that first. The review campaign needs a published, correctly categorized GBP to work well. If the listing needs fixes, we recommend GBP optimization as the first step.
How many reviews do we need to change map rankings?
There is no exact number that works for every market. We use the local search grid report to compare the prospect to top competitors and plan how many reviews are likely needed to show a lift. Often a focused burst of reviews over 10–14 days combined with ongoing drip reviews can move the needle.
Do we promise improved rankings?
No. We promise an increase in review count and improved reputation. If rankings improve after the review push, we highlight that as an added result. This keeps expectations clear and prevents broken promises.
What if the prospect has too few customers to request reviews?
Then we focus on other services like GBP optimization or the answering service. We can also discuss ways to generate leads first, then move to a review push once a steady customer flow exists.
How do we handle prospects who are rude or pushy?
We politely end the call. Our pipeline should be full enough that we don’t need to chase every lead. Focus on prospects who respect the process and are open to working with us.